Wekiwa Springs State Park
Encyclopedia
Wekiwa Springs State Park is a 7000 acres (28.3 km²) Florida State Park
in Apopka, Florida
. It is located 20 minutes north of Orlando
, off Interstate 4
at exit 94, near Altamonte Springs
and Longwood
. The park also contains the head water of the Wekiva River
. It also serves as the headquarters of one the state's five AmeriCorps Florida State Parks
chapters.
was primarily agricultural; however, with the end of the Civil War, a stout tourist trade started to take advantage of Florida’s temperate winters, long summers and abundant natural beauty, and out of that growth came Wekiwa Springs. In 1941, the Apopka Sportsmen’s Club purchased the property from the Wilson Cypress Company, which had maintained a small turpentine camp in what is now the park, maintaining the area for recreational use. By 1969 the state of Florida expressed interest the property for use as a state park, and, starting in 1970, visitors from all over the country and all over the world have been enjoying the natural spring, crystal clear water and the area's abundant wildlife. A major point for the springs popularity is the year-round 72 °F (22.2 °C) temperature of the water.
each day. The swimming area varies in depth from under a foot to five feet, and a small 15–20 ft (4.6–6.1 m) cavern at the source of the spring. The cavern extends deeper into a cave, which has been explored in great detail. SCUBA and cave diving is strictly prohibited. The park has a nature center, and access to Wekiwa Springs, Wekiwa Springs Run, Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River. Picnic pavilions equipped with charcoal grills exist in the picnic area. Canoes can be rented at the nature center. There are four campsites in Wekiwa Springs State Park that can only be accessed by canoe or kayak.
. The 5.3 miles (8.5 km) Volksmarch trail is marked with orange diamonds.
, rabbit
, deer
, gray fox
, bobcat
, raccoon
, opossum and black bear
. Fishing is permitted, as well as canoe
ing and snorkeling
. However, SCUBA
and specifically cave diving
are not. The cave has been explored in the past to a distance of about 50 meters.
Wekiwa Springs State Park does not have a Sunset Entrance Fee.
Florida State Parks
The Florida State Parks encompass the majority of the lands that fall under the authority of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. There are 160 such entities, including nature reserves, recreation areas, and historic sites, which can be found in every corner of the state...
in Apopka, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It is located 20 minutes north of Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, off Interstate 4
Interstate 4
Interstate 4 is a intrastate Highway located entirely within the state of Florida, United States. It goes from Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida to Interstate 95 at Daytona Beach, Florida . It also has the Florida Department of Transportation designation of State Road 400, but only a small...
at exit 94, near Altamonte Springs
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Altamonte Springs is a city in Seminole county in the U.S. state of Florida, which had a population of 41,496 at the 2010 census. Located primarily in Seminole County, the city is in the northern suburbs of the Orlando–Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the United States...
and Longwood
Longwood, Florida
Longwood is a city in Seminole County, Florida, USA. The population was 13,745 at the 2000 census. As of 2006, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 13,491. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area....
. The park also contains the head water of the Wekiva River
Wekiva River
The Wekiva River is a river starting in two separate fresh water springs in central Florida and ending in the St. Johns River. One of the springs is at Kelly Park, otherwise known as Rock Springs, and the other is in Wekiwa Springs State Park. Both springs border the Lower Wekiva River Preserve...
. It also serves as the headquarters of one the state's five AmeriCorps Florida State Parks
AmeriCorps Florida State Parks
AmeriCorps Florida State Parks is an AmeriCorps program hosted by Florida State Parks that began operating in 1997. Members earn an educational award by performing a minimal of 1700 service hours within the program....
chapters.
History
In the 1800s, Central FloridaCentral Florida
Central Florida is a regional designation for the area surrounding Orlando in east central Florida, United States. The area represents the third largest population concentration in Florida, after the South Florida and Tampa Bay regions, respectively....
was primarily agricultural; however, with the end of the Civil War, a stout tourist trade started to take advantage of Florida’s temperate winters, long summers and abundant natural beauty, and out of that growth came Wekiwa Springs. In 1941, the Apopka Sportsmen’s Club purchased the property from the Wilson Cypress Company, which had maintained a small turpentine camp in what is now the park, maintaining the area for recreational use. By 1969 the state of Florida expressed interest the property for use as a state park, and, starting in 1970, visitors from all over the country and all over the world have been enjoying the natural spring, crystal clear water and the area's abundant wildlife. A major point for the springs popularity is the year-round 72 °F (22.2 °C) temperature of the water.
The spring
The main attraction at Wekiwa Springs Park is the spring, providing approximately 42 million gallons of water to the Wekiva RiverWekiva River
The Wekiva River is a river starting in two separate fresh water springs in central Florida and ending in the St. Johns River. One of the springs is at Kelly Park, otherwise known as Rock Springs, and the other is in Wekiwa Springs State Park. Both springs border the Lower Wekiva River Preserve...
each day. The swimming area varies in depth from under a foot to five feet, and a small 15–20 ft (4.6–6.1 m) cavern at the source of the spring. The cavern extends deeper into a cave, which has been explored in great detail. SCUBA and cave diving is strictly prohibited. The park has a nature center, and access to Wekiwa Springs, Wekiwa Springs Run, Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River. Picnic pavilions equipped with charcoal grills exist in the picnic area. Canoes can be rented at the nature center. There are four campsites in Wekiwa Springs State Park that can only be accessed by canoe or kayak.
Camping
Spread out across the 7000 acres (28.3 km²) is located a fairly substantial camping area. Infrastructure exists to support all forms and types of camping from tents to recreational vehicles. Family, primitive and cabin youth camping areas are available. Camp Cozy is located 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from the main spring and offers primitive camping. Pets are allowed, but must be leashed at all times. Intoxicants and firearms are prohibited.Trails and hiking
A network of 13.5 miles (21.7 km) of trails exist in and around the spring, allowing for bicycling, hiking, and horseback ridingEquestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
. The 5.3 miles (8.5 km) Volksmarch trail is marked with orange diamonds.
Ecology
The area around the spring is largely undeveloped and has acres of untouched Florida Ecology. Among the wildlife of the park are coyoteCoyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
, rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
, deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, gray fox
Gray Fox
The gray fox is a mammal of the order Carnivora ranging throughout most of the southern half of North America from southern Canada to the northern part of South America...
, bobcat
Bobcat
The bobcat is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago . With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States...
, raccoon
Raccoon
Procyon is a genus of nocturnal mammals, comprising three species commonly known as raccoons, in the family Procyonidae. The most familiar species, the common raccoon , is often known simply as "the" raccoon, as the two other raccoon species in the genus are native only to the tropics and are...
, opossum and black bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
. Fishing is permitted, as well as canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
ing and snorkeling
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn...
. However, SCUBA
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
and specifically cave diving
Cave diving
Cave diving is a type of technical diving in which specialized equipment is used to enable the exploration of caves which are at least partially filled with water. In the United Kingdom it is an extension of the more common sport of caving, and in the United States an extension of the more common...
are not. The cave has been explored in the past to a distance of about 50 meters.
Administrative
The nature center is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3:00 p.m. EST.Admission fees
| Description | Cost, USD |
|---|---|
| Vehicles with 2 to 8 people | $6.00 |
| Single Occupant Vehicles | $3.00 |
| Pedestrians | $1.00 |
| Bicyclists | $1.00 |
| Extra Passengers | $1.00 |
Wekiwa Springs State Park does not have a Sunset Entrance Fee.
Camping fees
| Description | Cost, USD |
|---|---|
| Family campground sites | $24.00 plus tax per site, per night |
| Primitive camping | $5.00 plus tax per person, per night |
| Organized Youth and Adult Group Camping | $1.00 per youth; $5.00 per adult chaperon plus tax, per night |
External links
- Wekiwa Springs State Park at Florida State Parks
- Wekiwa Springs State Park at State Parks
- Wekiwa Springs State Park at Absolutely Florida
- Wekiwa Springs State Park at Wildernet